Troy Polamalu AFC Defensive Player of the Year

[Scorpion]

NFL 101 names Troy Polamalu AFC Defensive Player of the Year
Thursday, January 13, 2011
By Ed Bouchette , Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11013/1117778-100.stm

Peter Diana/Post-Gazette
Troy Polamalu strips the ball from Ravens QB Joe Flacco, setting up the go-ahead TD late in a 13-10 victory Dec. 5 -- a win that ultimately decided the division.


The first award is in for the season and the NFL 101 Awards have named Troy Polamalu as its AFC Defensive Player of the Year.
The 101, headquartered in Kansas City, has issued NFL awards for 41 years.
A national media committee, comprised of 101 sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the NFL, selected the winners in each award category in a nationwide vote at the conclusion of the regular season.
Green Bay linebacker Clay Matthews was named NFC defensive player of the year.
Other awards went to coaches of the year in the AFC, Kansas City's Todd Haley, and NFC, Atlanta's Mike Smith; and offensive player of the year in the AFC, New England's Tom Brady, and NFC, Philadelphia's Michael Vick.

[tmorton]

I think he is the best defensive player in the league and Pitt. will need him if they want any shot at the title! Can he get and stay healthy is the question.

[Nomocino]

He could be one of the best of all time if he did not get hurt every other week. He play like a maniac, and has body fail him

[SBR_John]

I once thought he was over rated... no more. When he is hurt they are a totally different team.

[Nard Dog]

Well deserved. No other defensive player is that significant for his team.

[memo99]

he should be considered for MVP he has been the difference in as many games as vick or brady

[SportsMushroom]

and on top of that he is the spokesman for hair styles everywhere

[ThisGuy]

I once thought he was over rated... no more. When he is hurt they are a totally different team.

I was listening to a podcast awhile ago, I can't remember if it was a guy from Football OS or who, but they said people don't realize Polamalu is more important to Pittsburgh than Roethlisburger. It's crazy to think a safety is more impt than a top 5-6 qb but if you think about it, he really is. They win games with Batch and Leftwich but their seasons have gone in the tank before when Polamalu was out for long.

[ThisGuy]

And to prove my point just look back at last week when NO was without Jenkins. Stud safeties are game changers

[Art Vandeleigh]

If either of them gets a haircut their powers will greatly diminish, it's a known fact.

[rm18]

[bill2266]

hes the best congrads troy

[Preston09]

Deserves it!

[Preston09]

Polamolecules

[Jordan23]

It's about damn time! Congrats.

[mikejamm]

The absolute best player in the NFL today, defensive or offensive! Dude should end being MVP of the year! If Hawaii keeps sending guys like this into the league, QB's are in for a world of hurt! Polamalu!!

[thisisit]

He passed Ed Reed 2 years ago for best safety, he is awesome, wish that Shawn Taylor was still around to see how his career might have turned out. I thought he was a cross between the 2 of them.

[Robust]

I once thought he was over rated... no more. When he is hurt they are a totally different team.

yup! I was thinking that last year until i took a step back and looked at what he was doing.. damn awesome player! he deserves all the recognition he gets!

but fvxk his hair! LOL

Robust

[Cinquefoil]

Well deserved. No other defensive player is that significant for his team.

What about how drastically the Ravens' D has improved since the six weeks Ed Reed missed at the beginning of the year?